Michael J. Kelly, CAMP Rehoboth volunteer

Michael J. (Mike) Kelly, 68, a retired banker and passionate community volunteer, died at Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C., Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, from a short but hard-fought battle against cancer. He was the longtime, loving partner of James D. Spellman.

Mr. Kelly, who lived in Washington, D.C. and Rehoboth Beach, was born in New York City and raised in a large, Irish family in Bloomfield, N.J. He earned a master’s of business administration from the Chaminade University of Honolulu, Hawaii, and worked for two decades at the Pentagon Federal Credit Union, retiring as chief mortgage officer.

Mr. Kelly was known for his love of travel, gourmet food, fine wine, opera, literature, art, and especially, his friends, and family. Never seeking recognition, Mr. Kelly volunteered his counsel, and offered whatever help he could from cooking a meal to sharing his house, to consoling with one-liners.

Much of his considerable energy and talent was donated to CAMP Rehoboth.

In addition to Mr. Spellman, he is survived by four siblings: Eileen Boland of Whippany, N.J., Christopher Kelly of San Francisco, Calif., Karen DiOrio of San Antonio, Texas and Kevin Kelly of San Antonio; 16 nieces and nephews; and 12 great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother John Kelly of Glen Rock, N.J.

A Memorial Mass was held in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, Feb. 19. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 16, at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. Memorial donations can be made to CAMP Rehoboth, 37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.